Display device

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of this document provides a display device comprising a panel, a touch screen panel, and a sense unit. The panel comprises subpixels placed in a display region defined in one face of a first substrate and a second substrate bonded with the first substrate. The touch screen panel is placed on the panel and configured to comprise electrode units. The sense unit is coupled to the electrode units and configured to sense a position through the electrode units. At least some of the electrode units are formed of a multi-layer with heterogeneous metals.

This application is a divisional of copending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/641,939 and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0038376 filed onApr. 30, 2009, which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This document relates to a display device.

2. Related Art

With the development of information technology, the market for displaydevices (i.e., media connecting users and information) is growing. Inline with this trend, the use of flat panel displays (FPDs), such as aliquid crystal display (LCD) device, an organic light emitting diode(OLED) display device, and a plasma display panel (PDP), is increasing.

Some of the display devices are driven by transistors formed on asubstrate in a matrix form, thereby being capable of displaying images.The transistor may comprise a gate, a semiconductor layer, a source, anda drain.

Meanwhile, the display devices are being widely used for variouspurposes ranging from the home appliance field, such as television (TV)or video, to the industry field, such as computers. Recently, activeresearch is being carried out on the supplement of a touch screenfunction to the display devices.

SUMMARY

An aspect of this document is to provide a display device comprising apanel, a touch screen panel, and a sense unit. The panel comprisessubpixels placed in a display region defined in one face of a firstsubstrate and a second substrate bonded with the first substrate. Thetouch screen panel is placed on the panel and configured to compriseelectrode units. The sense unit is coupled to the electrode units andconfigured to sense a position through the electrode units. At leastsome of the electrode units are formed of a multi-layer withheterogeneous metals.

Another aspect of this document is to provide a display devicecomprising a panel, electrode units, and a sense unit. The panelcomprises subpixels placed in a display region defined in one face of afirst substrate and a second substrate bonded with the first substrate.The subpixels are covered with an interlayer film. The electrode unitscomprise first electrodes placed on the interlayer film and secondelectrodes placed on one face of the second substrate. The subpixels andthe one face of the second substrate face each other. The sense unit iscoupled to the electrode units and configured to sense a positionthrough the electrode units. At least some of the electrode units areformed of a multi-layer with heterogeneous metals.

Yet another aspect of this document is to provide a panel and a senseunit. The panel comprises subpixels placed in a display region definedbetween one face of a first substrate and one face of a second substrateand electrode units placed in the second substrate. The sense unit iscoupled to the electrode units and configured to sense a positionthrough the electrode units. At least some of the electrode units areformed of a multi-layer with heterogeneous metals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompany drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of this document and are incorporated on and constitute apart of this specification illustrate embodiments of this document andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of thisdocument.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a display device according to afirst embodiment of this document;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a capacitive-type sense unit;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are exemplary diagrams showing the structure of electrodeunits placed within a touch screen panel;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic structure of an organic light emitting diodedisplay device having a capacitive-type touch screen panel according toa first embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a hierarchical structure of an organic light emittingdiode;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a resistive-type sense unit;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing the structure of the electrodeunits placed within the touch screen panel;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic structure of an organic light emitting diodedisplay device having a resistive-type touch screen panel built thereinaccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a display device according to asecond embodiment of this document;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a sense unit;

FIGS. 12 to 15 are exemplary diagrams showing the structure of electrodeunits placed within a panel;

FIGS. 16 and 17 show schematic structures of an organic light emittingdiode display device having a resistive-type touch screen panel builttherein according to a second embodiment of this document;

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a display device according to athird embodiment of this document;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a capacitive-type sense unit;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are exemplary diagrams showing the structure ofelectrode units placed within a panel;

FIGS. 22 and 23 show schematic structures of an organic light emittingdiode display device having a capacitive-type touch screen panel builttherein according to a third embodiment of this document;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of the capacitive-type sense unit;

FIG. 25 is an exemplary diagram showing the structure of electrode unitsplaced within the panel; and

FIGS. 26 and 27 show schematic structures of an organic light emittingdiode display device having a capacitive-type touch screen panel builttherein according to a third embodiment of this document.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of this document,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1, a display device comprises a panel PNL, a touchscreen panel TPNL, a scan driver SDRV, a data driver DDRV, and a senseunit TSC.

The panel PNL may comprise a FPD, such as an organic light emittingdiode display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, or a PDP. In theembodiment, the organic light emitting diode display panel is taken asan example. The scan driver SDRV supplies scan signals to subpixelscomprised in the panel PNL. The data driver DDRV supplies data signalsto the subpixels comprised in the panel PNL. The touch screen panel TPNLis placed on the panel PNL and is configured to comprise electrodeunits. The sense unit TSC is coupled to the electrode units and isconfigured to sense a position through the electrode units when a usertouches the touch screen panel TPNL. The sense unit TSC may have acapacitive type using a change in the capacitance (i.e., a change in thecapacitance according to the dielectric constant) or a resistive typeusing a change in the resistance according to the structure of theelectrode units formed in the touch screen panel TPNL.

Referring to FIG. 2, the capacitive-type sense unit TSC is coupled toelectrode units TPL and TPR placed within the touch screen panel TPNL.When a user touches the touch screen panel TPNL, the sense unit TSC cansense a touched position by recognizing a change in the capacitances ofthe electrode units TPL and TPR placed within the touch screen panelTPNL.

For example, the sense unit TSC may comprise a signal input unit SW, asignal amplification unit AMP, a signal conversion unit ADC, and asignal detection unit LUT, but not limited thereto. The signal inputunit SW receives signals through wiring lines Y0 and Y1 coupled to theelectrode units TPL and TPR placed within the touch screen panel TPNL.The signal amplification unit AMP amplifies the signals received fromthe signal input unit SW. The signal conversion unit ADC converts theinputted analog signals into digital signals. The signal detection unitLUT detects position data by recognizing a change in the capacitance inorder to determine which region has been touched by the user based onthe digitally converted signals and transfers the detected position datato an apparatus CD.

As described above, the sense unit TSC can detect a touched position byrecognizing a change in the capacitances of the electrode units TPL andTPR placed within the touch screen panel TPNL. The electrode units TPLand TPR may have the following structure.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the electrode units TPL and TPR may comprisefirst electrodes TPL arranged from the left to the right of the touchscreen panel TPNL and second electrodes TPR arranged from the right tothe left of the touch screen panel TPNL. Although the first electrodesTPL and the second electrodes TPR are illustrated to be placed at thesame layer, they may be patterned in one direction in such a way as tobe spaced apart from each other at a constant interval. Further, thefirst electrodes TPL and the second electrodes TPR may be patterned suchthat they have different capacitances. The electrode units TPL and TPRmay be coupled to the sense unit TSC through wiring lines Y0, . . . ,Y9. FIGS. 3 and 4 are only illustrative in order to help understandingof the shapes of the electrode units TPL and TPR, and this document isnot limited to the shapes of FIGS. 3 and 4.

The structure of the organic light emitting diode display device havingthe capacitive-type touch screen panel according to the first embodimentof this document is described below.

Referring to FIG. 5, the panel comprises a subpixel placed between afirst substrate 100 a and a second substrate 100 b. The subpixelcomprises a switching transistor driven in response to a scan signal, acapacitor configured to store a data signal in the form of a datavoltage, a driving transistor driven by the data voltage stored in thecapacitor, and an organic light emitting diode configured to emit lightwhen the driving transistor is driven. When the scan signal and the datasignal are received from the scan driver and the data driver, thesubpixel emits light. The panel can represent an image correspondingthereto. In view of the characteristic of the drawing, the cross sectionof the driving transistor T and the organic light emitting diode D, fromamong the elements comprised in the subpixel, is shown in the drawing ofthe panel. The subpixel comprised in the panel is described below.

A gate 110 is placed on one face of the first substrate 100 a. The gate110 may be made of any one selected from the group consisting ofmolybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chrome (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti),nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu) or an alloy of them.Alternatively, the gate 110 may be a multi-layer that is made of any oneselected from the group consisting of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al),chrome (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), andcopper (Cu) or an alloy of them. Alternatively, the gate 110 may be adual layer of Mo/Al—Nd or Mo/Al.

A first insulating layer 111 is placed on the gate 110. The firstinsulating layer 111 may be formed of a silicon oxide (SiOx) layer, asilicon nitride (SiNx) layer or a multi-layer of them, but not limitedthereto.

An active layer 112 is placed on the first insulating layer 111. Theactive layer 112 may comprise amorphous silicon or crystallizedpolysilicon. The active layer 112 may comprise a source region, achannel region, and a drain region. Further, an ohmic contact layer 113may be placed on the active layer 112.

A source 114 a and a drain 114 b respectively coupled to the source anddrain regions of the active layer 112 are placed on the ohmic contactlayer 113. The source 114 a and the drain 114 b may be a single layer ora multi-layer. In the case where the source 114 a and the drain 114 bare formed of a single layer, they may be made of any one selected fromthe group consisting of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chrome (Cr),gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu)or an alloy of them. Meanwhile, in the case where the source 114 a andthe drain 114 b are formed of a multi-layer, they may have a dual layerof Mo/Al—Nd or a triple layer of Mo/Al/Mo or Mo/Al—Nd/Mo.

A second insulating layer 115 is placed on the source 114 a and thedrain 114 b. The second insulating layer 115 may be formed of a siliconoxide (SiOx) layer, a silicon nitride (SiNx) layer or a multi-layer ofthem, but not limited thereto.

A shield metal 116 may be placed on the second insulating layer 115. Theshield metal 116 may be coupled to the source 114 a or the drain 114 b,and it may function to protect the transistors from externalinterference.

A third insulating layer 117 is placed on the second insulating layer115. The third insulating layer 117 may be formed of a silicon oxide(SiOx) layer, a silicon nitride (SiNx) layer or a multi-layer of them,but not limited thereto.

A lower electrode 120 coupled to the source 114 a or the drain 114 b isplaced on the third insulating layer 117. The lower electrode 120 can beselected as a cathode or an anode. In the case where the lower electrode120 is selected as the cathode, the cathode may be made of any one ofaluminum (Al), an Al alloy, and AlNd, but not limited thereto. Further,in the case where the lower electrode 120 is selected as the cathode,the cathode advantageously is made of materials having a highreflectance.

A bank layer 130 having an opening portion through which part of thelower electrode 120 is exposed is placed on the lower electrode 120. Thebank layer 130 may comprise organic matter, such as benzocyclobutene(BCB) series resin, acrylic series resin, or polyimide resin, but notlimited thereto.

An organic light emitting layer 140 is placed on the lower electrode120. The organic light emitting layer 140 may comprise a hole injectionlayer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electrontransport layer, and an electron injection layer. Referring to FIG. 6,the hole injection layer 140 a may function to make smooth the injectionof holes. The hole injection layer 140 a may be made of any one or moreselected from the group consisting of CuPc (copper phthalocyanine),PEDOT (poly(3,4)-ethylenedioxythiophene), PANI (polyaniline), and NPD(N,N-dinaphthyl-N,N′-diphenyl benzidine), but not limited thereto. Thehole transport layer 140 b may function to make smooth the transport ofelectrons. The hole transport layer 140 b may be made of any one or moreselected from the group consisting of NPD (N,N-dinaphthyl-N,N′-diphenylbenzidine), TPD (N,N′-bis-(3-methylphenyl)-N,N′-bis-(phenyl)-benzidine),s-TAD, and MTDATA(4,4′,4″-Tris(N-3-methylphenyl-N-phenyl-amino)-triphenylamine), but notlimited thereto. The light emitting layer 140 c may comprise materialsthat emit red, green, blue, and white, and it may be made ofphosphorescent or fluorescent materials. In the case where the lightemitting layer 140 c may be made of a material that emits red light, thelight emitting layer 140 c may be made of a phosphorescent material,comprising a host material comprising carbazole biphenyl (CBP) or1,3-bis(carbazol-9-yl) (mCP) and a dopant material comprising any one ormore selected from the group consisting of PIQIr(acac)(bis(1-phenylisoquinoline)acetylacetonate iridium), PQIr(acac)(bis(1-phenylquinoline)acetylacetonate iridium), PQIr(tris(1-phenylquinoline)iridium), and PtOEP (octaethylporphyrinplatinum). Alternatively, the light emitting layer 140 c may be made ofa fluorescent material comprising PBD:Eu(DBM)₃(Phen) or perylene, butnot limited thereto. In the case where the light emitting layer 140 c ismade of a material that emits green light, the light emitting layer 140c may be made of a phosphorescent material, comprising a host materialcomprising CBP or mCP and a dopant material comprising Ir(ppy)3(factris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium). Alternatively, the light emitting layer140 c may be made of a fluorescent material comprisingAlq3(tris(8-hydroxyquinolino)aluminum), but not limited thereto. In thecase where the light emitting layer 140 c is made of a material thatemits blue light, the light emitting layer 140 c may be made of aphosphorescent material, comprising a host material comprising CBP ormCP and a dopant material comprising (4,6-F2 ppy)2Irpic. Alternatively,the light emitting layer 140 c may be made of a fluorescent materialcomprising any one selected from the group consisting of spiro-DPVBi,spiro-6P, distryrylbenzene (DSB), distyrylarylene (DSA), PFO polymer,and PPV polymer, but not limited thereto. The electron transport layer140 d may function to make smooth the transport of electrons. Theelectron transport layer 140 d may be made of any one or more selectedfrom the group consisting of Alq3(tris(8-hydroxyquinolino)aluminum),PBD, TAZ, spiro-PBD, BAlq, and SAlq, but not limited thereto. Theelectron injection layer 140 e may function to make smooth the injectionof electrons. The electron injection layer 140 e may be made ofAlq3(tris(8-hydroxyquinolino)aluminum), PBD, TAZ, spiro-PBD, BAlq, orSAlq, but not limited thereto. It is to be noted that this document isnot limited to FIG. 6 and at least one of the hole injection layer 140a, the hole transport layer 140 b, the electron transport layer 140 d,and the electron injection layer 140 e may be omitted.

An upper electrode 150 is placed on the organic light emitting layer140. The upper electrode 150 can be selected as an anode or a cathode.Here, the upper electrode 150 selected as the anode may be made of anyone of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium tin zincoxide (ITZO), and ZnO doped Al₂O₃ (AZO), but not limited thereto.

A plurality of the subpixels is arranged in a matrix form on one face ofthe first substrate 100 a. The subpixels arranged on the one face of thefirst substrate 100 a are vulnerable to moisture or oxygen. Accordingly,the first substrate 100 a can be bonded with the second substrate 100 bby a first adhesive member 160.

The touch screen panel comprises a third substrate 100 c and a fourthsubstrate 100 d adhered to the other face of the second substrate 100 bconstituting the panel. The third substrate 100 c and the fourthsubstrate 100 d coalesced with each other by a second adhesive member164. The third substrate 100 c is adhered to the other face of thesecond substrate 100 b by a third adhesive member 162, and so this touchscreen panel can be placed over the panel. In this embodiment, however,an example in which a polarization plate 170 is adhered to the secondsubstrate 100 b and the touch screen panel is adhered over thepolarization plate 170 is described as an example. The touch screenpanel is described below.

The electrode units TPL and TPR are placed on one face of the fourthsubstrate 100 d (i.e., a face opposite to the third substrate 100 c).The electrode units TPL and TPR, as described above with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, may be patterned in various fashions and placed on theone face of the fourth substrate 100 d. In FIG. 5, however, an examplein which the electrode units TPL and TPR are placed in a form, such asthat shown in FIG. 3, is described.

Meanwhile, when the sense unit senses a touched position through theelectrode units TPL and TPR placed in the touch screen panel, a sensingtime is “τ=RC (resistance, capacitance)” and it becomes fast with areduction in resistance.

According to the present embodiment, at least some of the electrodeunits TPL and TPR have a structure having a multi-layer made ofheterogeneous metals in order to improve the sensing time. In moredetail, some or all of each of the electrode units TPL and TPR have atriple structure made of metal oxide (M1)/metal (M2)/metal oxide (M3).Here, the metal (M2) is relatively more thinly formed than the metaloxides (M1 and M3). When the electrode units TPL and TPR are formed asdescribed above, they can have a high transmissivity in the visibleregion and can implement a low resistance although the metals areinserted into the electrode units TPL and TPR using the plasmon vacuumeffect of metals. Table below lists comparison results of lighttransmissivity and sheet resistance between a comparative example andthe embodiment.

TABLE ELECTRODE UNIT LIGHT SHEET STRUCTURE TRANSMISSIVITY RESISTANCEDEPOSITION ( ) (@550 NM) (Ω m²) METHOD COMPARATIVE IZO  >90% 25 counterEXAMPLE (1500) target sputter (FTS) EMBODIMENTS WO₃/Ag/WO₃ 94.5%   7.12thermal (300/150/ evaporation 300) WO₃/Au/WO₃ 56.5%   7.99 (300/150/300) SnO₂/Ag/SnO₂ 90.16%   7.3 (300/100/ 300) MoO₃/Ag/MoO₃ 76.5%   7.84(300/150/ 300) CeO₂/Au/CeO₂ 65.8%   7.35 (300/120/ 300) IZO/Ag/IZO 91% 8FTS/ (300/100/ thermal 300) evaporation/ FTS IZO/Ag/IZO 92% 5.9(300/120/ 300) IZO/Ag/IZO 90% 4.8 (300/140/ 300) IZO/Ag/IZO 85% 3.9(300/160/ 300)

In Table, an example in which the structure of the electrode units TPLand TPR is made of any one of tungsten oxide (WO₃), gold (Au), silver(Ag), molybdenum oxide (MnO₃), cerium oxide (CeO₂), and indium zincoxide (IZO) is listed. The materials constituting the electrode unitsTPL and TPR are however not limited thereto, but may comprise metaloxide, such as tellurium oxide (TeO₂), selenium oxide (SeO₂), indium tinoxide (ITO), tin oxide (SnO₂), and AZO (Al₂O; doped ZnO) and metal, suchas aluminum (Al) or copper (Cu).

From Table, it can be seen that, when each of the electrode units TPLand TPP has the metal oxide (M1)/metal (M2)/metal oxide (M3) structure,light transmissivity and sheet resistance are improved as compared tothe comparative example. Accordingly, when the electrode units TPL andTPR have the above structure, an electrical property, an opticalproperty, and a transmission characteristic can be satisfied whenfabricating the touch screen panel.

Hereinafter, the structure of an organic light emitting diode displaydevice having a resistive-type touch screen panel according to a firstembodiment of this document is described.

Referring to FIG. 7, a resistive-type sense unit TSC is coupled toelectrode units TPY and TPX placed within a touch screen panel TPNL.When a user touches the touch screen panel TPNL, the sense unit TSC cansense a touched position by recognizing a change in the resistances ofthe electrode units TPL and TPR placed within the touch screen panelTPNL.

For example, the sense unit TSC may comprise a signal input unit SW, asignal amplification unit AMP, a signal conversion unit ADC, and asignal detection unit LUT, but not limited thereto. The signal inputunit SW receives signals through wiring lines Y0 and X0 coupled to theelectrode units TPY and TPX placed within the touch screen panel TPNL.The signal amplification unit AMP amplifies the signals received fromthe signal input unit SW. The signal conversion unit ADC converts theinputted analog signals into digital signals. The signal detection unitLUT detects position data by recognizing a change in the capacitance inorder to determine which region has been touched by the user based onthe digitally converted signals and transfers the detected position datato an apparatus CD.

As described above, the resistive-type sense unit TSC can detect atouched position by recognizing a change in the resistances of theelectrode units TPY and TPX placed within the touch screen panel TPNL.The electrode units TPY and TPX may have the following structure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the electrode units TPY and TPX may comprise firstelectrodes TPY arranged in the Y-axis direction and second electrodesTPX arranged in the X-axis direction. The first electrodes TPY and thesecond electrodes TPX are patterned such that they are placed atdifferent layers, and the patterned electrodes TPY and TPX can beconnected by jumper electrodes JP. FIG. 8 is only illustrative in orderto help understanding of the shape of the electrode units TPY and TPX,and this document is not limited to the shape of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, the panel comprises a subpixel placed between afirst substrate 100 a and a second substrate 100 b. In view of thecharacteristic of the drawing, the cross section of a driving transistorT and an organic light emitting diode D, from among the elementscomprised in the subpixel, is shown in the drawing of the panel. Thesubpixel comprised in the panel has the same structure as that shown inFIG. 5, and a description thereof is omitted in order to avoidredundancy. The touch screen panel is described below.

The touch screen panel comprises a third substrate 100 c and a fourthsubstrate 100 d adhered to the other face of the second substrate 100 bconstituting the panel. The third substrate 100 c and the fourthsubstrate 100 d coalesce with each other by a second adhesive member164. The third substrate 100 c is adhered to the other face of thesecond substrate 100 b by a third adhesive member 162, and so this touchscreen panel can be placed over the panel. In this embodiment, however,an example in which a polarization plate 170 is adhered to the secondsubstrate 100 b and the touch screen panel is adhered over thepolarization plate 170 is described as an example.

The second electrodes TPX are placed on one face of the third substrate100 c, and the first electrodes TPY are placed on one face of the fourthsubstrate 100 d (i.e., face opposite to the third substrate 100 c). Theelectrode units TPY and TPX can be patterned in a form, such as thatshown in FIG. 8, or other forms and can be placed on the one faces ofthe third substrate 100 c and the fourth substrate 100 d, respectively.In FIG. 9, it is assumed that the electrode units TPY and TPX are placedin the form shown in FIG. 8.

Meanwhile, when the sense unit senses a touched position through theelectrode units TPY and TPX placed in the touch screen panel, a sensingtime is “τ=RC (resistance, capacitance)”. The sensing time becomes fastwith a reduction in resistance.

According to the present embodiment, at least some of the electrodeunits TPY and TPX have a structure having a multi-layer made ofheterogeneous metals in order to improve the sensing time. In moredetail, some or all of each of the electrode units TPY and TPX has atriple structure made of metal oxide (M1)/metal (M2)/metal oxide (M3).Here, the metal (M2) is relatively more thinly formed than the metaloxides (M1 and M3). When the electrode units TPY and TPX are formed asdescribed above, they can have a high transmissivity in the visibleregion and can implement a low resistance although the metals areinserted into the electrode units TPY and TPX using the plasmon vacuumeffect of metals.

From Table above, it can be seen that, when each of the electrode unitsTPY and TPX has the metal oxide (M1)/metal (M2)/metal oxide (M3)structure, light transmissivity and sheet resistance are improved ascompared to the comparative example. Accordingly, when the electrodeunits TPY and TPX have the above structure, an electrical property, anoptical property, and a transmission characteristic can be satisfiedwhen fabricating the touch screen panel.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 10, a display device comprises a panel PNL, a scandriver SDRV, a data driver DDRV, and a sense unit TSC.

The panel PNL may comprise a FPD, such as an organic light emittingdiode display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, or a PDP. In theembodiment, the organic light emitting diode display panel is taken asan example. The panel PNL comprises subpixels and electrode units. Thescan driver SDRV supplies scan signals to the subpixels comprised in thepanel PNL. The data driver DDRV supplies data signals to the subpixelscomprised in the panel PNL. The sense unit TSC is coupled to theelectrode units and is configured to sense a position through theelectrode units when a user touches the panel PNL. The sense unit TSCmay have a capacitive type using a change in the capacitance (i.e., achange in the capacitance according to the dielectric constant) or aresistive type using a change in the resistance according to thestructure of the electrode units formed in the panel PNL.

Referring to FIG. 11, the sense unit TSC is coupled to the electrodeunits TPY and TPX placed within the panel PNL. When a user touches thepanel PNL, the sense unit TSC can sense a touched position byrecognizing a change in the capacitances or a change in the resistancesof the electrode units TPY and TPX placed within the panel PNL.

For example, the sense unit TSC may comprise a signal input unit SW, asignal amplification unit AMP, a signal conversion unit ADC, and asignal detection unit LUT, but not limited thereto. The signal inputunit SW receives signals through wiring lines Y0 and X0 coupled to theelectrode units TPY and TPX placed within the panel PNL. The signalamplification unit AMP amplifies the signals received from the signalinput unit SW. The signal conversion unit ADC converts the inputtedanalog signals into digital signals. The signal detection unit LUTdetects position data by recognizing a change in the capacitance or achange in the resistance in order to determine which region has beentouched by the user based on the digitally converted signals andtransfers the detected position data to an apparatus CD.

As described above, the sense unit TSC can detect a touched position byrecognizing a change in the capacitances or a change in the resistancesof the electrode units TPY and TPX placed within the panel PNL. Theelectrode units TPY and TPX may have the following structure.

Referring to FIG. 12, the electrode units TPY and TPX may comprise firstelectrodes TPY arranged in the Y-axis direction and second electrodesTPX arranged in the X-axis direction. The first electrodes TPY and thesecond electrodes TPX may be patterned such that they are placed atdifferent layers. The electrode units TPY and TPX may be coupled to thesense unit TSC through wiring lines Y0, . . . , Y3 and X0, . . . , X3,respectively.

For example, referring to FIG. 13, the electrode units TPY and TPX maycomprise the first electrodes TPY arranged in common and the secondelectrodes TPX arranged in the X-axis direction. The first electrodesTPY and the second electrodes TPX may be patterned such that they areplaced at different layers. The electrode units TPY and TPX may becoupled to the sense unit TSC through the wiring lines Ym and X0, . . ., X3, respectively.

For example, referring to FIG. 14, the electrode units TPY and TPX maycomprise the first electrodes TPY arranged in the Y-axis direction andthe second electrodes TPX arranged in common. The first electrodes TPYand the second electrodes TPX may be patterned such that they are placedat different layers. The electrode units TPY and TPX may be coupled tothe sense unit TSC through the wiring lines Y0, . . . , Y3 and Xn,respectively.

For example, referring to FIG. 15, the electrode units TPY and TPX maycomprise the first electrodes TPY arranged in common and the secondelectrodes TPX arranged in common. The first electrodes TPY and thesecond electrodes TPX may be patterned such that they are placed atdifferent layers. The electrode units TPY and TPX may be coupled to thesense unit TSC through the wiring lines Ym and Xn, respectively. FIGS.12 to 15 are only illustrative in order to help understanding of theshapes of the electrode units TPY and TPX, and this document is notlimited to the shapes of FIGS. 12 to 15.

The structure of the organic light emitting diode display device havingthe panel according to the second embodiment of this document isdescribed below.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the panel comprises a subpixel placedbetween a first substrate 100 a and a second substrate 100 b. In view ofthe characteristic of the drawings, the cross section of a drivingtransistor T and an organic light emitting diode D, from among theelements comprised in the subpixel, is shown in the drawings of thepanel. The subpixel comprised in the panel has a similar structure tothat shown in FIG. 5. In this case, however, an interlayer film 155 isplaced on the upper electrode 150 of the subpixel such that a touchscreen panel can be configured within the panel.

A touch screen panel comprises the second electrodes TPX placed on theinterlayer film 155 of the subpixel formed within the panel and thefirst electrodes TPY placed on one face of the second substrate 100 b(i.e., a face opposite to the subpixel), and it is formed within thepanel. In this embodiment, a polarization plate 170 may be adhered tothe other face of the second substrate 100 b. The electrode units TPYand TPX can be patterned to have any one of forms, such as those shownin FIGS. 12 to 15, or other forms and can be placed on the interlayerfilm 155 and on one face of the second substrate 100 b, respectively.

The present embodiment illustrates that the resistive-type touch screenpanel is configured within the panel. If the touch screen panel isconfigured to have the resistive type, a change in the resistance isgenerated by contact of the first electrodes TPY and the secondelectrodes TPX. Accordingly, spacers SP can be formed between the firstelectrodes TPY and the second electrodes TPX in order to facilitate thecontact, as shown in FIG. 16, or spacers SP can be formed between thefirst electrodes TPY and the second substrate 100 b in order tofacilitate the contact, as shown in FIG. 17.

Meanwhile, when the sense unit senses a touched position through theelectrode units TPY and TPX placed in the touch screen panel, a sensingtime is “τ=PC (resistance, capacitance)”. The sensing time becomes fastwith a reduction in resistance.

According to the present embodiment, at least some of the electrodeunits TPY and TPX have a structure having a multi-layer made ofheterogeneous metals in order to improve the sensing time. In moredetail, some or all of each of the electrode units TPY and TPX can havea triple structure made of metal oxide (M1)/metal (M2)/metal oxide (M3).Here, the metal (M2) is relatively more thinly formed than the metaloxides (M1 and M3). When the electrode units TPY and TPX are formed asdescribed above, they can have a high transmissivity in the visibleregion and can implement a low resistance although the metals areinserted into the electrode units TPY and TPX using the plasmon vacuumeffect of metals.

From Table above described in the first or second embodiment, it can beseen that, when each of the electrode units TPY and TPX has the metaloxide (M1)/metal (M2)/metal oxide (M3) structure, light transmissivityand sheet resistance are improved as compared to the comparativeexample. Accordingly, when the electrode units TPY and TPX have theabove structure, an electrical property, an optical property, and atransmission characteristic can be satisfied when fabricating the touchscreen panel.

Third Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 18, a display device comprises a panel PNL, a scandriver SDRV, a data driver DDRV, and a sense unit TSC.

The panel PNL may comprise a FPD, such as an organic light emittingdiode display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, or a PDP. In theembodiment, the organic light emitting diode display panel is taken asan example. The panel PNL comprises subpixels and electrode units. Thescan driver SDRV supplies scan signals to the subpixels comprised in thepanel PNL. The data driver DDRV supplies data signals to the subpixelscomprised in the panel PNL. The sense unit TSC is coupled to theelectrode units and is configured to sense a position through theelectrode units when a user touches the panel PNL. The sense unit TSC iscoupled to the electrode units formed in the panel PNL and is configuredto have a capacitive type using a change in the capacitance (i.e., achange in the capacitance according to the dielectric constant).

Referring to FIG. 19, the capacitive-type sense unit TSC is coupled tothe electrode units TPL and TPR placed within the panel PNL. When a usertouches the panel PNL, the sense unit TSC can sense a touched positionby recognizing a change in the capacitances of the electrode units TPLand TPR placed within the panel PNL.

For example, the sense unit TSC may comprise a signal input unit SW, asignal amplification unit AMP, a signal conversion unit ADC, and asignal detection unit LUT, but not limited thereto. The signal inputunit SW receives signals through wiring lines Y0 and Y1 coupled to theelectrode units TPL and TPR placed within the panel PNL. The signalamplification unit AMP amplifies the signals received from the signalinput unit SW. The signal conversion unit ADC converts the inputtedanalog signals into digital signals. The signal detection unit LUTdetects position data by recognizing a change in the capacitance inorder to determine which region has been touched by the user based onthe digitally converted signals and transfers the detected position datato an apparatus CD.

As described above, the sense unit TSC can detect a touched position byrecognizing a change in the capacitances of the electrode units TPL andTPR placed within the panel PNL. The electrode units TPL and TPR mayhave the following structure.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the electrode units TPL and TPR maycomprise first electrodes TPL arranged from the left to the right andsecond electrodes TPR arranged from the right to the left. The firstelectrodes TPL and the second electrodes TPR are illustrated to beplaced at the same layer, but may be patterned in one direction suchthat they are spaced apart from each other at a regular interval.Further, the first electrodes TPL and the second electrodes TPR, asshown, may be patterned to have different capacitances. The electrodeunits TPL and TPR may be coupled to the sense unit TSC through wiringlines Y0, . . . , Y9. FIGS. 20 and 21 are only illustrative in order tohelp understanding of the shapes of the electrode units TPY and TPX, andthis document is not limited to the shapes of FIGS. 20 to 21.

The structure of the organic light emitting diode display device havinga capacitive-type touch screen panel according to the third embodimentof this document is described below.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the panel comprises a subpixel placedbetween a first substrate 100 a and a second substrate 100 b. In view ofthe characteristic of the drawings, the cross section of a drivingtransistor T and an organic light emitting diode D, from among theelements comprised in the subpixel, is shown in the drawings of thepanel. The subpixel comprised in the panel has a similar structure tothat shown in FIG. 5, and a description thereof is omitted forsimplicity.

For example, in FIG. 22, a touch screen panel comprises the firstelectrodes TPL and the second electrodes TPR placed on one face of thesecond substrate 100 b (i.e., a face opposite to the subpixel), and itis formed within the panel. Further, a polarization plate 170 may beadhered to the other face of the second substrate 100 b. The electrodeunits TPL and TPR can be patterned to have any one of forms, such asthose shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, or other forms and can be placed on oneface of the second substrate 100 b.

For example, in FIG. 23, a touch screen panel comprises the firstelectrodes TPL and the second electrodes TEL placed on the other face ofthe second substrate 100 b, and it is formed outside the panel. Apolarization plate 170 may be adhered in such a way as to cover thefirst electrodes TPL and the second electrodes TPR placed on the otherface of the second substrate 100 b. Although not shown, an insulatinglayer may be placed between the polarization plate 170 and the first andsecond electrodes TPL and TPR.

The present embodiment illustrates an example in which thecapacitive-type touch screen panel is configured within the panel. Inthe case where the touch screen panel has the capacitive type, theelectrodes may be configured to have different patterns so that a changein the capacitances of the first electrodes TPL and the secondelectrodes TPR is generated.

Referring to FIG. 24, the capacitive-type sense unit TSC is coupled tothe electrode units TPY and TPX placed within the panel PNL. When a usertouches the panel PNL, the sense unit TSC can sense a touched positionby recognizing a change in the capacitances of the electrode units TPYand TPX placed within the panel PNL.

For example, the sense unit TSC may comprise a signal input unit SW, asignal amplification unit AMP, a signal conversion unit ADC, and asignal detection unit LUT, but not limited thereto. The signal inputunit. SW receives signals through wiring lines Y0 and Y0 coupled to theelectrode units TPY and TPX placed within the panel PNL. The signalamplification unit AMP amplifies the signals received from the signalinput unit SW. The signal conversion unit ADC converts the inputtedanalog signals into digital signals. The signal detection unit LUTdetects position data by recognizing a change in the capacitance inorder to determine which region has been touched by the user based onthe digitally converted signals and transfers the detected position datato an apparatus CD.

As described above, the sense unit TSC can detect a touched position byrecognizing a change in the capacitances of the electrode units TPY andTPX placed within the panel PNL. The electrode units TPY and TPX mayhave the following structure.

Referring to FIG. 25, the electrode units TPY and TPX may comprise firstelectrodes TPY arranged in the Y-axis direction and second electrodesTPX arranged in the X-axis direction. The first electrodes TPY and, thesecond electrodes TPX are patterned such that they are placed atdifferent layers with an insulating layer DL1 interposed therebetween.The patterned electrodes TPY and TPX can be connected by jumperelectrodes JP. FIG. 25 is only illustrative in order to helpunderstanding of the shape of the electrode units TPY and TPX, and thisdocument is not limited to the shape of FIG. 25. Meanwhile, the jumperelectrode JP may have a metal oxide/metal/metal oxide structure as inthe electrode units TPY and TPX.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, the panel comprises a subpixel placedbetween a first substrate 100 a and a second substrate 100 b. In view ofthe characteristic of the drawings, the cross section of a drivingtransistor T and an organic light emitting diode D, from among theelements comprised in the subpixel, is shown in the drawings of thepanel. The subpixel comprised in the panel has a similar structure tothat shown in FIG. 5, and a description thereof is omitted forsimplicity.

In FIG. 26, a touch screen panel comprises the first electrodes TPY andthe second electrodes TPX which are placed on one face of the secondsubstrate 100 b (i.e., a face opposite to the subpixel) and are placedwith the insulating layer DL1 interposed therebetween, and it is formedwithin the panel. Further, a polarization plate 170 may be adhered tothe other face of the second substrate 100 b. The electrode units TPYand TPX may be patterned in a form, such as that shown in FIG. 25, orother forms and may be placed on one face of the second substrate 100 b.In such a structure, an interlayer film 155 may be placed on an upperelectrode 150 constituting the subpixel in order to prevent a shortbetween the upper electrode 150 and the second electrodes TPX.

In FIG. 27, a touch screen panel comprises the first electrodes TPY andthe second electrodes TPX which are placed on the other face of thesecond substrate 100 b and are placed with a first insulating layer DL1interposed therebetween, and it is placed outside the panel. Further, apolarization plate 170 may be adhered such that it covers the firstelectrodes TPY and the second electrodes TPX placed on the other face ofthe second substrate 100 b. In such a structure, a second insulatinglayer DL2 may be interposed between the polarization plate 170 and thesecond electrodes TPX.

The present embodiment illustrates an example in which a capacitive-typetouch screen panel is configured within the panel. It is however to benoted that a resistive-type touch screen panel may be configured withinthe panel.

Meanwhile, when the sense unit senses a touched position through theelectrode units TPY and TPX placed in the touch screen panel, a sensingtime is “τ=RC (resistance, capacitance)”. The sensing time becomes fastwith a reduction in resistance.

According to the embodiment, at least some of the electrode units TPYand TPX have a structure having a multi-layer made of heterogeneousmetals in order to improve the sensing time. In more detail, some or allof each of the electrode units TPY and TPX can have a triple structuremade of metal oxide (M1)/metal (M2)/metal oxide (M3). Here, the metal(M2) is relatively more thinly formed than the metal oxides (M1 and M3).When the electrode units TPY and TPX are formed as described above, theycan have a high transmissivity in the visible region and can implement alow resistance although the metals are inserted into the electrode unitsTPY and TPX using the plasmon vacuum effect of metals.

From Table above described in the first or third embodiment, it can beseen that, when each of the electrode units TPY and TPX has the metaloxide (M1)/metal (M2)/metal oxide (M3) structure, light transmissivityand sheet resistance are improved as compared to the comparativeexample. Accordingly, when the electrode units TPY and TPX have theabove structure, an electrical property, an optical property, and atransmission characteristic can be satisfied when fabricating the touchscreen panel.

The above-described embodiments are advantageous in that they canprovide a display device having a touch screen function capable ofreducing a sensing delay time. Further, there is an advantage in that adisplay device equipped with a touch screen function capable ofsatisfying an electrical property, an optical property, and atransmission characteristic can be provided.

Although some illustrative embodiments have been described, it should beunderstood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can bedevised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope ofthe principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variationsand modifications are possible in the component parts and/orarrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope ofthe disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition tovariations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements,alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: a panel configuredto comprise subpixels placed in a display region defined in one face ofa first substrate and a second substrate bonded with the firstsubstrate, the subpixels being covered with an interlayer film;electrode units configured to comprise first electrodes placed on theinterlayer film and second electrodes placed on one face of the secondsubstrate, the subpixels and the one face of the second substrate facingeach other; and a sense unit coupled to the electrode units andconfigured to sense a position through the electrode units, wherein atleast some of the electrode units are made of stacked metal oxide, metaland metal oxide sequentially, wherein a thickness of the metal isthinner than that of the metal oxide for improving light transmissivityin the visible region and sheet resistance of the metal oxide.
 2. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein: the metal oxide comprises any one oftungsten oxide (WO3), molybdnum oxide (MnO3), cerium oxide (CeO2),indium zinc oxide (IZO), tellurium oxide (TeO2), selenium oxide (SeO2),indium tin oxide (ITO), tin oxide (SnO2), and AZO (Al2O3 doped ZnO), andthe metal comprises any one of gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al),and copper (Cu).
 3. The display device of claim 1, wherein: one of thefirst electrodes and the second electrodes is divided and patterned inone direction, and the other of the first electrodes and the secondelectrodes is formed in common.